Good Bye, God Spare You!" soldier farewell poster

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The title, "Good Bye, God Spare You!", reads like a blessing spoken at the moment of parting, and the poster turns that moment into a sentimental scene. Farewell images like this circulated widely in the nineteenth century, when families often said goodbye to men leaving for long terms of service with little certainty of return. Popular prints of this kind were meant to be displayed at home, where they gave emotional shape to a common experience of wartime separation. Look closely at the expressions and gestures, which carry much of the sentiment the poster is trying to convey.

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